Josh Cummings

Josh has five years experience as a journalist. He started his career in North Queensland, producing the Southern Cross Austereo updates for Townsville and Mackay, before spending two years in Central Queensland as a reporter for WIN Television. Josh moved to Sydney in 2015, where he worked as a producer for Sky News and returned to reporting in April 2016, taking up a position here at NBN News.

A sad end for a whale which found itself stranded on a mid north coast beach. It was hoped a group effort, involving both people power and boats, would be able to tow the 10-tonne humpback out to sea today, but unfortunately conditions were too rough. The whale will now be removed from the beach.

Clarence Valley Council is encouraging residents affected by bats to nominate themselves to become part of a flying fox dispersal committee. Mayor Jim Simmons says the body would work with the community to try and identify ways of moving on the colonies in Maclean. “Some remediation work has been done in the gully area there and some of the trees will probably eventually will be removed.” Nominations for the new group close on Friday. (AUDIO IN PARTS)

Marine rescuers have been working tirelessly today, to help free a whale stranded on a New South Wales beach. The young humpback washed up in Sawtell early this morning – attracting a crowd of onlookers.

In Group 2 rugby league, and Orara will host Coffs Harbour in a catch up game tomorrow. The teams are playing for the highly sought-after Ken Orr Memorial Shield. President, Warren Gilkinson says the Panthers have cemented their position in third, after downing the Magpies 44- 22 in their catch up bout. “Bellingen had their chances, but, you know Sawtell just proved… A couple of class players turned it around and got away with a good win.” The Rebels sit just two points behind their Clarence neighbours, the undefeated Ghosts. (AUDIO IN PARTS)

The Kempsey West boys have booked themselves a place in Sydney, after taking out this year’s Paul Kelly Cup Regional Final and the Yamba girls have also secured a spot at the SCG in August. The winners were among around 20 teams who took to the fields at Coffs Coast Sport and Leisure Park.

In the rugby league girls gala day… four teams from Northern New South Wales will be on their way to Sydney in August. Banora Point is one side making the trip south, after getting up over Toormina 10 to four. Development Officer Jessie Reeves says girls across the league are continuing to improve their games, as more players take up the sport. “About 17 teams here today, all girls from year five, six… Through to opens.” They’ll play at Macquarie Park on the 24th. (AUDIO IN PARTS)

The state government is providing a platform for Indigenous people to ensure their legacy lives on. Passionate attendees gathered at the Cavanbah Centre in Coffs Harbour today to express their views on the development of Aboriginal languages legislation. NSW Aboriginal Affairs senior project officer, Reuben Robinson says “it gives our mob the opportunity to make sure all facets of culture, heritage, respect and law are considered within the process. We’ve got a draft bill that we put on the table with the mob here today… They pulled it a part.” Member for Coffs Harbour, Andrew Fraser, echoing the community concerns… “This is about recognising Aboriginal languages, where you have the Gumbaynggirr language here or the Kamilaroi across the range. People need to have control of that and we need to make sure it actually works.” The next workshop will be …